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Re: length and pitch

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-02-02 13:55

Wow that is pretty high. I'd ask the director just to be sure this A-444 is indeed correct. Information is missing, such as the type/brand of the horn. What is she tuning to now?

When you go test barrels bring a tuning meter or download one to your cell phone. This will allow you to test not only A-444 but other notes as well. Find the barrel that seems to be on pitch with most of the notes, not just "A". Then also play on the barrels for maybe 10 minutes and see if the pitch changes much, the pitch will change a bit.

To confuse the situation the taper of the barrels can also matter. I like reverse tapers, meaning that on my horns and mouthpiece the top of the barrel is larger compared to the bottom part. On some horns this can make the tuning much worse. The reverse taper I use is about 0.15".

Find a store that sells barrels or a person that makes barrels near you. I am thinking something around 62 to 63mm's. But I don't know what pitch she is at right now.

You can help the situation by buying a Vandoren BD5 mouthpiece that tunes to A-442. But be careful here, they make 2 types. A BD5-440 and a BD5-442. Then you might be able to get a 64mm barrel and be all set or you may already be on pitch with that BD5 mouthpiece.

The key here is to keep the whole horn as well in tune as possible. Not just the A-444. In fact if the horn plays in tune but the A is out of tune you can buy or have the bell of the horn adjusted too. So this is complicated. Bringing a TUNER with you is a MUST.

Keep us posted. This is very interesting.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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